Richard Knopik

1926 - 2024

Richard Knopik

June 25, 1926 - October 19, 2024

The world became a brighter place in June of 1926 on a small family farm near Fullerton, Neb. when Richard Knopik was born into the loving family of Caroline and Frank Knopik. Richard was one of 13 siblings. Sadly, Richard, beloved Dad, husband, father-in-law, grandpa, great grandpa, pop, brother, brother-in-law, and beloved Uncle Joe, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2024 at his home in Las Cruces, N.M.

From his youngest years until his death, Richard was the consummate jokester, prankster, and comedian. We think he knew every Polish joke ever told and gleefully told them on himself again and again. He derived endless fun from his fart machine and whoopie cushions that he subjected his visitors to. He was the quintessential Knopik and continually enriched the lives he touched with his willingness to help anyone, and his wit, joy, tall tales and humor.

Richard, a true patriot, personified our country's Greatest Generation. He joined the Army just before his 18th birthday and served in the 6th Army, 867th battalion. His time in the Army at the immediate post-WWII era was fraught with the devastation, suffering and horrors of post-WWII Japan and those memories of a naïve 18 20-year-old farm boy thrust into war troubled him until the end of his life. While in the Army, he hitchhiked across the country to get from Aberdeen, Md. to Camp Beale, Calif. after having his money for his bus trip stolen. It was a story he told often and he always vowed he would find the person who took his money either here on earth or in his after-life.

He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1944 as a sergeant. He joined the Navy in March of 1948 after several months of hauling garbage and feeding hogs in Chicago it was no way to earn a good living he said. During his Army and Navy years he traveled to and was stationed in the entire Pacific theater Japan, Iwo Jima, Hong Kong, Guam, the Philippines, Singapore, New Zealand, and Hawaii. He did multiple sea tours on the USS Hancock and USS Lexington. His Navy nickname was BeBop, which stuck forever. While in the Navy he was a flight engineer and tail gunner on the PB4Y-2 patrol bomber as a part of the VA-28 Privateers. On his 24th birthday, the very day North Korea invaded South Korea, while on a reconnaissance mission over Korea, his plane was attacked by Chinese MiG fighter jets and that encounter was considered the first air combat of the Korean War. The pilot radioed to Richard that the Chinese must have known it was his birthday that day. He flew hundreds of missions and thousands of hours with the Navy Air Corp, including a mission of mercy in 1958 when he commandeered his Navy aircraft to bring a severely injured young girl to a trauma center without officially filing those passengers and the landing in their flight plan. Later in life he often reunited with his PB4Y-2 Privateer brethren at their many reunions. He was eventually stationed at NAS Lemoore, CA, as a VA-122 flight instructor, and retired from the Navy in 1965. He went on to work as an aircraft and heavy equipment mechanic for the Navy in Lemoore through federal civil service and he always worked two jobs until his full retirement in 1983. He was a permanent/lifetime member of the US Navy Fleet Reserve and The American Legion.

Some of Richard's military commendations included the WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation medal, Army and Navy Good Conduct medals, Navy Occupation Service Medal with clasp, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Navy Air Crew wings.

Richard and Doris, his wife and love of his life, traveled extensively in their motorhome for many years and he was proud to say he had traveled to all 50 states.

Our father taught us to be patriotic, hard-working, loyal, loving, honest and steadfast and always grateful for what we have.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Doris; companion, Patti Poe; his parents; brothers, Edward, Virgil, Lawrence, Louis, Frank, and Jerome; sisters, Ethel, Elizabeth, Katherine, Lorraine and Mary; many of their spouses, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is survived by his daughters, Dianne Knopik Gomez (Michael), Kay Lynn Knopik Phillips; grandchildren, Christopher Gomez, Joshua Gomez (Maritza), Josh Brantley (Tish); stepchildren, Stephen and Anthony Rice (Kathy) and Rene Legier; great-grandchildren, Jonah, Mia, Lucia and Viviana; sister, Rose; and many, many more loving nieces and nephews.

Special mention and thanks to these compassionate people: nieces, Louise Stopak (deceased) and Dee Eikmeier and nephew, Ted Gdowski for their care and companionship while he was living in Columbus, Neb.

Graveside services will be held in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your local hospice in Richards's name.